-
reconstruction of the island for habitation, very little faod olants were
left.
i,
In fact, no food plants were left on Enewetak Island a
several years before the replanted trees produce.
it will be
The second
eason is to
keep the people from eating food grown on the atoll until the d
ree of risk
from plant uptake of radionuclides can be properly evaluated.
The people of Enewetak are provided 6 lbs. of food per p
according to a menu prepared to U.S.D.A. recommendations.
observation
suggests
the
people
are
not
son per day
Di cussion and
eating what the
utritionist
recommends, but are selectively eating what they like from what is provided.
The
Division
of
Agriculture
in
the
Ministry
of
R
Ources
station in
Development has recently initiated an agriculture experimen
Laura on Majuro
gardening.
to
test
varieties
and
develop techniques
f@r
They are also beginning to study pig and duck meat]
Vegetables
which
have
been
successfully
grown
and
vegetable
production.
includq@
cucumbers,
tomatoes, bell peppers, chili peppers, eggplant, onions, cabbage, chinese
cabbage, watermelon, green beans, radishes, and corn.
Since mogt people are
not accustomed to eating these, they are not currently incorporated into the
average diet.
Some people have made the argument that since most vegegables don't
grow well without good soil, and since organic matter to make
food soil is
not readily available, there is not much point in encouraging
|
to grow vegetables. Others said methods should be used which rdly solely on
locally available materials
i.e. no imported fertilizer etc
considered important to add a greater variety of vegetables Ipcally, then
thought must be given to agriculture development.
care
requires
imported
medicines
and
Developmegt of health
equipment.
transportation requires imported vehicles and fuel.
Devdlopment
of
Therefore, fit should be
accepted that development of agriculture requires imported s@il, organic
matter, nutrients, seeds, pesticides, tools, and technology.
In conclusion, the people are getting a good supply of fooq.
no reports of hunger.
There are
Data from the Trust Territory Pacific IBland 5 Year
Health Plan shows 6 deaths in 1977 related to nutritional dbficiencies.
Only one hospital discharge in a]] the TTPI in 1977 was listed
avitaminoses and other nutritional deficiencies.
Bs caused by
It must be recbgnized that
there is not an adequate record keeping system to correctly dbtermine the
actual amount or causes of many illnesses.
involved but undetected.
Nutritional abnormalities may be
Local staples plus rice are readily
16
available and